Tracing the path of Clare pilgrims

SINCE August 2011, The Clare Pilgrim Way group has been marking out a pilgrim walking route linking Clare’s ancient monastic sites, holy places and cultural centres and this week will mark the completion of the first full circuit.

The group’s aim is to map a Clare-style Camino walk with a Celtic spirituality theme, allowing walkers to follow a pilgrim path linking the significant sacred places, sites of cultural and historical significance and pilgrim routes in Clare.
The way encompasses country roads, woodland, bog roads and coastal routes as well as the island monastic sites of Inis Cealtra and Scattery.
The first leg of the walk began in August 2011 when the group left from St Senan’s Well in Molougha near Killimer, the birthplace of Senan of Scattery, taking in wells and sites associated with Senan in Molougha, Kilrush, Doonbeg, Kilshanny, as well as St Joseph’s Well in Spanish Point, St Annastatia’s Well in Moy and Kilmacreehy’s Church near Liscannor. The four-day walk concluded at a sixth century monastic settlement founded by St Fachtnan in Kilfenora, before returning to St Bridget’s Well Liscannor on August 14. 
Stage two of the Pilgrim Way got underway in October when walkers set out from Kilfenora to Kilmacduagh over a three-day period. The walk began with the retelling of the story of the Cathedral and high crosses of Kilfenora and included a fireside harvest ritual.
While on the way, the group recognised the importance of the Brehon Law School associated with the O’Davorens as a place of wisdom and learning at Cahermacnaughten. Following in the footsteps of Colman McDuagh, the hermit turned monk, this stage went from his hermit’s cave at Eagle’s Rock near Carron to his monastic settlement in Kilmacduagh. 
Stage Three of the Clare Pilgrim Way was completed over two weekends in February and April last and the pilgrims followed a route over the lower Aughties linking Kilmaduagh with Inis Cealtra (Holy Island). This stage also brought the group to Shanaglish in South Galway where they were given a guided tour of restored holy wells in the parish. While en route to Holy Island, they visited the ruins of an old church at Faha thought to have accommodated pilgrims. Winding their way around Lough Graney to Flagmount, they crossed Bohatch Bog to Mountshannon. While on a guided trip to Inis Cealtra, they learned of its importance as a monastic centre and seat of learning in the early Christian period. In Tuamgraney, they visited St Cronan’s Church, which was known to be frequented by Brian Boru.
In July, stage four was completed and included a visit to Béal Boru, a significant fort on the banks of the Shannon, a guided tour of St Flannan’s Cathedral in Killaloe and St Brecan’s Well in Doora. Walkers followed a trail to Garranboy and through a gap in the hills along the East Clare Way to Kilbane visiting St Stacey’s Well on the way. From there, the pilgrims continued on the East Clare Way through Doon, Woodfield via Dangan to visit the inauguration site of Magh Adhair where Dalcassian princes, including Brian Boru, were inaugurated.
At Quin Friary, they were given a talk on the archaeology of the site and its significance as a friary. They also were led on a guided walk along the Ballykilty road via the former Jasper’s Pound toll bridge to St Brecan’s Well.
The fifth and final stage of the Clare Pilgrim Way will be completed this weekend kicking off on Friday from Clare Abbey at 10am after a talk there. They will proceed to the old Augustinian Nunnery in Killone and St John’s Well, before going onto Killea Graveyard and Holy Well through Ballyea.  On Saturday, the walk continues from St Martin’s Well in Ballynacally to Kildysart visiting St Brecan’s Well and Our Lady’s Well, Lacknashannagh and concludes at St Senan’s Well in Effernan.
On Sunday, the walkers set out from Tullycrine Children’s Burial Ground and Holy Well taking a route via Knockerra Church to St Senan’s Well in Molougha. 
Having come full circle, the pilgrim way will mark its completion with a visit to Scattery Island on Sunday afternoon, weather-permitting.
Over the winter, the group will map the five-stage route and develop the philosophy and spirituality of the Clare Pilgrim Way, aiming to deepen the relationship with the ancient sites and holy places which dot the route.
The group welcomes anyone who wishes to walk with them.